Having a SA argue with you?

Does this ever happen to anyone? Okay wait, let me rephrase because that's probably happened to almost everyone here... does anyone have any stories to share when a SA disagrees with you or points out that you're basically, well..wrong about a product?

I have a few stories. One time at MAC, I wanted to exchange MAC Brave because it didn't look as great as it did when I tried it out in the store. I told the SA that I didn't like the color because it made my lips look washed out and had a pearly/frosty look to it. " Here's how our conversation went:

Me: I wanted to exchange a lipstick. When I tried it out at home, it looked different and kinda washed me out. Also, there's a bit of a pearly appearance which probably was the cause of making me washed out

SA: Oh no, this has no pearl finish, (swatches on her hand) See, none at all. It looks fine on you.

Me: ........well when I checked the MAC website, the description of the lipstick states "pink-beige with white pearl"

SA: I don't know, but I definitely do not see a white pearl here. (swatches again) I don't see anything at all. It's probably because this is a Satin lipstick.

Me: A satin finish just makes it semi-matte though, it's pearly.. the color itself states that there's white pearl..

SA: No, it's the satin finish. That makes it pearly. There's no white pearl in the actual lipstick.

Me: .........I just want to exchange this lipstick for MLBB color.

I ended up getting MAC Cosmo. Ugh, that lady was annoying. Tried to sell me some lipliner too.

Another one was in Sephora, when I went back to exchange my MUFE Mat Velvet + because it oxidized on me, so I wanted a lighter shade. I had 45, and wanted to get 35. The lady kept stating that the foundation is oil-free, therefore it does not oxidize, this does not happen, it's "basically impossible." She also kept interrupting me with "No's" when I was saying that I noticed the foundation got darker, and I missed a spot by my outer cheek, near the ear, so I was able to tell that, whoa, my foundation got darker. She also said that I probably got lighter over time after I told her that I just bought the foundation a few days ago. I just wanted to be like, LISTEN B---- and bring out my sassy side LOL

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

Wow! I would have spoke to a manager about her! She was out of control. I would have had a hard time not saying somethi to her like stop touching me. That's the kind of stuff that makes you have anxiety! I feel bad for your son what an awful experience. I would almost forward your experience to upper management it was that awful.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

Well, never in person, but I actually *just* got off the phone with CS and I'm a bit disappointed. I placed an order for a few Sephora eye shadow singles (3, so I got to include the palette for free, no promo code). I entered a separate promo code in the checkout (buxom foundation mini) and it somehow didn't go through with my order. I called CS within a few minutes and they didn't seem to believe me when I said the free palette holder thingy did NOT require a promo code, and that I had entered a separate code for an item that suddenly wasn't showing up in my order confirmation. And their turnover was so quick that he said they couldn't change or cancel my order. :-( I know it's just a sample, but the only reason I prefer to order online instead of in person is b/c of the samples + promo codes. Anyway. That was all a bit frustrating, being spoken to like I've never placed an online order before...but fortunately just a one off experience....normally everyone online/phone/in person is great!

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

Soooo this isn't about an SA at a store but rather a movie theater concessions employee. I want to share though because it happened mid last week and I still kind of can't believe it. Here goes....

Last Wednesday, the BF and I went to the movies. It was our little ode to Valentine's Day and we were finally seeing Wolf of Wallstreet; I couldn't have been in a better mood.Being that the film is 3 hours long, we decided to stock up on some concessions. When I approached the counter for popcorn, while my BF went to get a milkshake, a fresh batch had JUST finished popping. I politely requested that my large popcorn be filled with the fresh stuff and then went on my merry way to meet my BF at another part of the concessions counter. As I walked up, the same girl who had filled my popcorn was assisting my BF. That's when we heard her comment to her male coworker in Spanish something about a b i t c h. My BF, who speaks Spanish better than I do, and I looked at her and then each other. He squeezed my hand and said "Please don't say anything." I agreed because we didn't know for sure that she was talking about me, but seeing as we were the only customers in the area, it was kind of hard to believe her comment could have been about anyone else. She continued to make the milkshake (took like 8-10 minutes, don't ask me why!) and another female coworker, who was either on her break or off work, came over to my left to say hello to the girl behind the counter. That's when the girl behind the counter said again "Oh that's some b i t c h here" in Spanish. This second time, we were 100% sure she was talking about me. I looked from the girl behind the counter to the girl standing next to me. I raised my eyebrows and made eye contact with the girl to my left; she looked horrified and quickly walked away. Again, my BF says "Please don't say anything." My blood was boiling and I was hurt because a) I wasn't being a b i t c h and b) it was so nasty and inappropriate that I was in shock. Because I didn't want to ruin our evening, I agreed and we watched the movie. Fast forward to last Friday and I mentioned the incident to my coworker who says "AlwaysGlam, why aren't you going to say something?" When I told her the story, I again felt really hurt about the whole thing and ended up calling the movie theater and spoke with their GM. His response couldn't have been better -- he was sure he knew which employee I was talking about and said he would review the security camera footage just to be sure; he apologized genuinely and profusely and he asked me what he could do to make it right. I told him I really wanted her to be reprimanded and it wouldn't hurt if he sent me some movie tickets. Our conversation occurred on a Friday and I received my movie tickets the next day.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

Oh goodness, I'm not sure where you're from (I know we have quite a few Canadian members here on BT), but if this happened in the US, I think it was ridiculously foolish of this movie employee to think that Spanish is a safe "secret language" considering it is the second most widely spoken language here. I'm not a native Spanish-speaker but I am fluent, and I have experienced similar situations to yours -- I find them amusing if anything, and it just goes to show that underestimating people based on appearances is never a good idea.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I was thinking this also. The employee is stupid enough already to say something like that at work at all but to just assume someone doesn't speak a certain language because of what they look like is just beyond. You NEVER know.

AlwaysGlamorous, glad the manager dealt with it properly! I don't think I could have stopped myself from saying something in the moment :x

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I hate when I ask people questions and they don't know what they are talking about !

I went to a Sephora to ask about a Buxom Lip Gloss I got a long time ago, the sticker saying the name of the lip gloss was gone, I was hoping to find a shade similar. I approached a SA and asked her about the Lip Gloss and if they had any shades similar. She looked very annoyed with me and ended her conversation with another co worker. She got every tube of lip gloss they had in the Buxom section and tested it out on my hand asking "does it look like the one you bought?" she tested colors that didn't even remotely look like the one I bought and I left with residue of sticky mess on my hands trying to wipe it off with a tissue and alcohol I got myself. I thought it was very rude because she didnt ask to use my hand, she just grabbed it. After I said no none of this colors are what Im looking for thank you anyway, she just turned and left with out a smile or your welcome or anything!

I think the fact I'm 15 and dont wear much makeup, they dont want to give me the time of day compared to someone who looks more mature with their makeup willing to buy something. Not fun, cause I use makeup for my creative outlet not just everyday use ):

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

Boo! Why would she try colors that aren't even similar?! Like, helllooooo??!! I can relate to how you feel though because I was into higher end makeup when I was a teen and I often encountered SAs that thought I couldn't afford anything and therefore did not treat me as kindly. When this would happen to me in Nordstroms or another store where I knew they made commission, I would say no one helped me. You judge me, I'll ensure you don't make a cent off my sale.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I think my pride was shattered more than anything...was it because I was in my Grandads classic firebird that is half -restored ( its currently in prime with a set of Cooper classic Rims as to not destroy the original snowflake Pontiac rims since I had to get it out to drive it due to an emergency and I now live close to Lake Erie where ut snows, was it my clothing....was it my lack of make up and a Girls Sports Cap and sweats..or I hate to think , but is it because I am now disabled..something I never asked to happen to me,,

To be honest, I have not been to any store I enjoy to shop at since. I had to go to MY Dr., My specialist and a CVS Pharmacy.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I had to lash out like I did at irresponsible, loud, rude, snotty, and obnoxious Sales associates earlier like that because I have seen them, ones I knew for 15 years that treated me like gold, then the next time they saw me , before coming back to ohio, snub me like trash because I was paralyzed from the waiste down and was no longer the high end money hogging Music Exec, that I had been. Lets move to Christmas, 2013, Beechwood Mall, Cleveland, Ohio. I live a TOTALLY different life now, My husband had lost his job at General Motors as a Supervisor due to "cut backs" after being there close to 20 years, right out of highschool. I have learned to walk and they found it a miracle that a doctors group at L.A. Central said I was paralyzed from the waist down and would never walk again.I get to Ohio with my child, I attempt suicide on my birthday....I dont remember much but woke up from a coma, apparently it was a 5 week coma, looking at the television in front of me..Talladega Nights was playing...and start scraming because I didnt know if I was in heaven, heck, or dead. I was alive and suddenly a room full of white coats were trying to prod and poke me, I remember it was dark out and I felt like I had to urinate...SURPRISE...I am not paralyzed! Within months I could walk and I do walk ( it just looks as if I have had a stroke on my left side, except my face is untouched - 1 scar where the top of my lip was ripped in half ) I went out and the bad scars they did their best to cover with plastic surgery are now covered with beautiful tattoos and flesh colored ink so they cant be seen. Anyway, Christmas 2013, My Jeep Commander broke down ( mind you, I have 1/16 of the money I used to make..the guy who caused the accent outside Modesto was on meth, in a stolen semi, had no insurance, and after it was all said and done I walked away with just enough to pay med bills, thank the paramedic who brought me back to life 3 times, and purchase a house in rural ohio where my family originated -there are only a handfull of us left on this earth now...but anyway, I can drive a hand controlled car, my Jeep was being fixed so I had no choice to get out my 1977 trans-am my grandad left me. I parked in the first handicapped spot in front of SAKS because I wanted to return a pair of Versace Jeans tht were 3 sizes too big. I was wearing my winter boots, Hollister Sweatpants and Hoodie with a black leather biker jacket over my clothes.I had my Medium Black and White Gingham Dooney and Bourke Purse and a Pink Cleveland Browns Cap with my ponytail pulled thru the adjustable back. I walked into Saks and IMMEDIATLY 6 sales associates started following me, I had a SAKS bad, with the jeans and a receipt I wanted to return. I got near a counter and turned around - ALL OF THE SALES ASSOCIATES TURNED AWAY AND PRETENDED TO DO SOMETHING TO SALE ITEMS BY THE REGISTER. I could hear them snickering at me and staring when they thought I was not looking. I asked for assistance and 3 walked away from me like they had not heard me.I headed farther into SAKS, towards the Mens department. I was met at the counter by a man who said Hello, I handed the receipt and jeans and he started to ask me odd questions why I wanted to return them, here he was waiting on a security guard AND a Beechwood,Ohio Police Officer. I told the officer why I was there, I showed him the receipt and jeans, he handed them back to me with the bag and said he was so sorry but I had to leave the store and the mall in general because I "bothered " the Sales Associates. I left in tears, I could tell he was not happy doing his job but had no choice. I drove home , over 3 hours, in tears. I sent them with my friend to a SACKS in Columbus, Ohio to exchange them for me when she got off work as a Highschool English Teacher. I was judged by my clothes, the car - wich is a very beautiful car-and unfirtunatly, my disability. This is whu I am now VERY HARD on associates that do not come off as genuinly nice from the first moment I lay eyes on them or hear their voice.

I appologize for such a rant earlier, but I wanted all you ladies out there to know why. I buy alot of high end items still, why do I always have to look as if I wlked out of a business meeting or salon for a night at SOHO.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I know this is a couple months old but I do think this needs to be said: It is not just you and unfortunately it happens all the time, regardless of the disability. Regardless of their exact reasons, they had no right to have treated you so unfairly and I would be willing to bet that it would have resulted in a totally different outcome if just one had approached you and offered help or had given it when you asked.

When I worked in retail in the past and knew certain of my coworkers unfortunately did this kind of thing routinely, I would go out of my way to offer help an individual with a disability because I knew that chances are, most others I worked with back then would not. Please understand, it is not out of any kind of prejudice that I do so because that is not the case. I do it because I know what it is like to be in the same position trying to find help only to find that nobody will look past my disabilities long enough to do so.

I do also agree with another poster in one point though. Having worked retail I will say that, yes, it can be hard at times to be perky, pretty and cheerful with a grin plastered on 24/7. I am realistic and I know bad days do happen, so do long or tiring days. I do not expect every single associate I meet in every place I visit to have a giant Joker type of grin pasted on their faces every single minute of every single day. That being said, a polite greeting and helpful recommendation when I approach them goes a long way, and in the end, whether they could still do their job or not and whether they can do it without alienating potential customers is what matters. I can only hope that if you ever do step foot in that store again, management will have figured out the same things and have replaced those judgmental SAs with individuals who actually know how to do their jobs.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

If some SAs at Saks were really that horrible to you, it's really not a valid reason to be "VERY HARD" (your words) on others. You should have reported it to Saks corporate, not punish everyone else in every other store from then on.

Yes I know you say you are only "VERY HARD" if they "do not come off as genuinly nice from the first moment I lay eyes on them or hear their voice" (again your words) but a great deal of that could merely be your own perception, no?

Not to mention PEOPLE work in retail, not robots. People have emotions. What if they were just chewed out by another customer over something out of their control, their cat died that morning, and they had a throbbing killer toothache? Hard to conjure up an INSTANT smile and GENUINE niceness after a day like that, don'tcha think? And if their happy act isn't convincible enough to you, you're ok with getting them fired and getting yourself a free giftcard? Just... wow.

If someone truly mistreats you in a store then take it to corporate, don't shop there anymore, or just kill 'em with kindness.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

I think her opinion on SAs is more than justified after the way she was treated. How would you like it if you were confronted by security and asked to leave a store just because you have a disability? Please look at things from her point of view, because I'm sure you would do the same thing if you were treated so horribly too. I don't see any harm in her being hard on SAs, because it's not like she's "getting them fired". Yes, not all SAs are bad, but I would do the same thing if I were her. Her story is truly heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to her. I hope she never has to suffer such gross discrimination again.

Re: Having a SA argue with you?

that's so awful and vile and just horribly discriminatory. i hope you contacted the management of the store because i don't even know if that's legal - to discriminate and refuse to serve somebody on the basis of their disability violates the equal protection laws doesn't it?